It happened here, years ago

Negotiations are underway to bring a garment factory to the city and a local delegation traveled to Chicago in an attempt to seal the deal. The group included Lloyd Russell, Bill Irby, James L. Magee, Mayor Buck Thomas and chamber president Frank Knuckles. The company was expected to build a 71,000 square foot facility and employ 200-300 workers. Also topping the news, Linda Stidham was valedictorian and Jeanette Bedwell the salutatorian as the PHS class of 1970 was set for graduation.

On a sad note, longtime local business woman Nova (Robbins) Chappell died following a long illness, she was 75. Political announcements included Frank Carpenter for sheriff and collector. And SFC James Wood returned to the local National Guard company as mess steward after a two-year retirement, and was shown being re-sworn by his commander, 1LT Alvin R. Williams.

At the Carolyn Theater, "Easy Rider" along with Iron Butterfly and Grand Funk Railroad in "Musical Mutiny and Weekend Rebellion."

St. Francis PTA honored teachers Beulah Wyatt, Charlotte McLeskey, Constant Lewis, Lillie Renshaw and Opal Dycus. Meanwhile, Girl Scout Cadettes Lynne Dehls, Cindy Oxley, Pam Pollard and Annette Mowery entertained the Brownies at their annual gathering.

And PHS just completed its first "golf class" with 21 students under coaches Williams and Murphy. The team only lost one game in five matches with members--Phil Starling, Junior Skelton, Joe Cole, Paul Hoggard, David Ballard, Van Winton, Richard Robinson, David Williams, Stan Moffitt and Tom Porterfield.

1980

The primary election is close at hand with several contested races on the ballot. The city was without power for several hours May 20 after a Roger's Produce truck struck the utility pole at 12th and Clay Streets. And the Memorial Day service at the Piggott Cemetery is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25.

Larry Holcomb was elected Pharmacist of the Year by the Arkansas Pharmacy Association at their 98th annual meeting in Little Rock May 16. And two noted retirements from the Piggott School District as Ruth Brady and Narine Glover end their careers. Glover had spent 11 years as a Title II aide, while Brady had been a teacher for 35 years--most recently in the sixth grade at Piggott Middle School. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Nettles of Pollard; she began her career at the Payne School near Greenway in July 1944 at the age of 23.

At the Carolyn Theater, "Chapter Two."

Denver Oxley is set to retire from Brown Shoe Company the first of June. He was hired into lasting department in May, 1949. And the Greenway Fire Department is holding a fundraiser fish fry May 24.

Big sale at the Gossard Outlet Store in Piggott with gowns, robes and Teddy's for $2.99, while men's knit shirts were just 99 cents and fleece robes were $7.99.

Checking men's softball scores--Lakeview beat Brown Shoe 13-11, the Pollard Knobbers downed Glauber Valve 21-6 and McCord Agri Services beat Greenway 17-11. Also in sports, the second annual Freedom Run is coming soon.

1985

The new Piggott Middle School was dedicated to longtime superintendent J.B. Swift at a ceremony May 19. It was reported that over 550 people signed-up for tours of the new facility. Also in the news, Memorial Day Services are set for May 26; an Arts and Crafts Fair will also be held that weekend on the court square and it was reported that entrants are needed for the annual Piggott Fourth of July Parade.

The state Employment Services Division sent their training program for displaced workers to Piggott, as former workers of Brown Shoe continue to saturate the job market. Also in the news, Piggott firefighter Bill Hogue suffered a broken arm as the local department provided mutual aid to the Rector Fire Department. According to Chief Marshall Wheeler, the injury occurred May 20 as the firefighters battled a blaze at Russell Oil Co. in Rector.

At the Carolyn Theater this week, "Just One of the Guys."

Graduating from the foster parent program were Mike and Pat Cook, Donna Gurley, G. S. and Sandra Kilbreath, Johanna Stender and Mona Williams. This week also included a feature on local distance runner Frank Staples.

Also in sports, Ella May Mayberry of the Home for the Golden Years recently competed in both the regional and state Special Olympics. She took third in the 400 meter walk and first in the softball throw at Paragould. And at state she finished fifth in the 400 meter walk, but brought home the championship in the softball throw.

1990

Tornados tore through portions of the county May 16, 1990, killing Mary Harmon of McDougal and injuring several others. The Red Barn Skating Rink north of Corning was destroyed, along with the Jonathan Beecher residence north of McDougal--and near the Harmon residence. Trees were also blown onto homes in St. Francis, and another fell onto a car belonging to Neil and Carla Bricker.

The Primary Election is set, with the race between Darvin Stow and Cloyce Piece for sheriff one of the most hotly contested. And James Magee has been chosen chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission--a board he has served on since 1987.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hardcastle will mark their 60th wedding anniversary May 27 with a get-together. And, in births to announce--It's a daughter for Laura (Taylor) Garcia and husband Bob as little Alicia Rae Garcia was born May 2 in Colorado Springs. And Stacy and Kim Wade report the birth of their new son on May 16 at Arkansas Methodist Hospital in Paragould. They've named their new addition Luke Andrew Wade.

The PHS yearbook for 1990 was dedicated to high school secretary Nancy Benson.

And in sports, the Mohawk baseball team fell to Star City 3-1 in the first round of the class AA state tournament at Conway. Kevin Blascoe pitched the complete game and Brian Harmon had a solo homer for the only run. They were joined by Scott McCrillis and Chris Morris on the All-District team for the Tribe.